X-E4vs A7R
GearScore™ Verdict — Which should you buy?
Compact Street & Travel Photography — X-E4 (2021): The X-E4 is for photographers who want the minimum camera that still delivers maximum image quality. If you love shooting from the rear screen and want the smallest possible X-mount body, this is your camera. If you need a viewfinder or IBIS, look at the X-S20 or X-T30 II.
Studio, Tripod Landscape & Camera History — A7R (2013): The world's first 36MP full-frame mirrorless — a landmark camera that launched the A7R series, despite contrast-detect AF and significant shutter shock limitations.
Who should buy what
X-E4 (2021)
- Street photographers who prioritise portability and discretion
- Travel photographers packing minimally
- Fujifilm fans who shoot primarily from the rear screen
- Anyone who wants the X-Trans sensor in the smallest possible body
A7R (2013)
- Collectors and photographers interested in the camera that started the A7R lineage
- Studio photographers who work on a tripod and can manage contrast-detect AF
- Landscape photographers who prioritise resolution over autofocus performance
- Sony FE system users who want a historical body at a very low used price
Quick take: The a7r has the highest resolution at 36mp; the a7r is the most affordable. Scroll down for the full spec breakdown.
Full specifications
| Specification | X-E4 (2021) | A7R (2013) |
|---|---|---|
| Price | £699 | £349 |
| Sensor | 26.1MP APS-C X-Trans CMOS IV | 36.4MP Full-Frame CMOS (no OLPF) |
| Resolution | 26.1MP | 36.4MP |
| Video | 4K/30p, 1080p/240p slow-motion, F-Log | 1080p/60p |
| Autofocus | Phase-detect, 425 points, face/Eye detection | Contrast-detect AF only (no phase-detect on sensor) |
| Stabilisation | None (no IBIS) | None |
| Burst Rate | 8fps mechanical, 20fps electronic | 4fps |
| Battery Life | ~460 shots (CIPA) | ~340 shots (CIPA) |
| Weight | 364g (body only) | 465g (with battery and card) |
| Dimensions | 121.3 × 72.9 × 32.7mm | 126.9 × 94.4 × 48.2mm |
| Weather Sealed | No | No |
| Viewfinder | None — rear screen only (EVF accessory available) | EVF, OLED 2.36M dots, 0.71× magnification |
| Screen | 3.0" fixed touchscreen, 1.62M dots | 3.0" fixed LCD, 1.23M dots (no tilt, no touch) |
| Mount | Fujifilm X-mount | Sony FE (full-frame E-mount) |
| Memory Cards | Single SD UHS-I | Single SD UHS-I slot |
| Connectivity | USB-C, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi | USB, Wi-Fi, NFC |
Suitability by genre
| Genre | X-E4 | A7R |
|---|---|---|
| Street | — | |
| Travel | ||
| Portrait | ||
| Video | — | |
| Wildlife | — | |
| Landscape | — | |
| Architecture | — | |
| Sports & Action | — | |
| Vlogging & Video | — |
GearScore™ suitability scores are based on aggregated purchaser reviews weighted by photography genre. See how scores are calculated →
More comparisons with X-E4
Camera family history